CHAPTER 5

Lexington Orbit,
Lexington, Kestrel Combat Region,
Crucis March, Federated Suns,
July 12, 3073

The dropship was in the final leg to land on Lexington when Neptune got a call from Commander Korra. He suspected that it was his mission debriefing, and possibly performance review, but she was not in her officer quarter nor the command center. He asked around and found out that she was at the mech bay, so he made his way to the hangar. She was talking to the techs at the base of the JM7 Jagermech.

"You call for me, Commander?" Neptune snapped a salute as he came to Korra's attention.

"Yes, Mr. Neptune, at ease," Korra replied casually after she sent the techs off. "I suspect you know what this is about."

"I could think of one, Ma'am," he replied halfheartedly.

"I am impressed with your performance," Korra went straight to the point. "I have reviewed your battleROM. Your battlemech piloting is unimpressive for someone who has been piloting a mech for 5 years. Your shooting skill is subpar. But considering you've just started battlemech combat in the last 2 months, I could look the other way. You can always train more.

"Your work ethic is what make you stand out. You worked hard, harder than any of my lance mates. You listened and followed order, even when it didn't sit well with your logic. You did defy direct order, but that was a special occasion. That was what my crews should've done. But they're mercenaries. In a pitched battle, they do what any mercenary does best: to save their own asses. You, a construction worker, you showed heart and compassion toward your teammates by voluntarily staying behind, even though you were not part of this ragtag band. To me, that speaks volumes of your character. Many young aspiring mechwarriors have big flashy mechs, awesome gunnery and piloting skillset, and hefty price tags. But heart and character, those are hard to come by.

"I put on a good review on your dossier, so if you want to pursue a mercenary career, you have a good start. And yet, if you think you rid of me, you are mistaken."

"What does that mean?" Neptune cocked his brows. "Are you offering me a job?"

"A position just opens up," Korra shot a small smile. "Lance Commander Drew didn't survive."

"He didn't? He was alive when we reached the Davion base!" Neptune bemoaned.

"That's the life of mercenaries, Mr. Neptune. One day you're alive, the next day you're dead," Korra said matter-of-factly. "So, if you want his position, it's yours."

"His position? As the commander of the Support Lance?" Neptune had a hard time believing what he heard. "I am barely a mechwarrior! What makes you think I am fit to lead a lance?"

"You already know his mech. You piloted it well, well enough to survive a Liao heavy lance and coordinate an escape with Davion paramilitary. You still have a long way to go, but with more training, you'll get to where I want you to be in a short time. I asked Drew's lance mates, and they were eager to work with you, after your performance on the field.

"This is a one-time offer, Mr. Neptune. I'm looking forward to fill in this position quick, since we have another job waiting. But of course, it depends on where you see yourself in the future. Yet I guarantee you, you won't get an opportunity like this ever again."

Neptune didn't want to be a part of a foul play, as he suspected it was, with the sudden 'demise' of Lance Commander Drew. He was banged up pretty bad, but his life was not threatened, at least not from Neptune's point of view. But he was not a medic. He wasn't qualified to make a judgment on Lance Commander Drew's condition. Maybe Drew was in fact dying. He just couldn't see it.

Either way, Korra was right. Her offer was a sweet deal. Neptune had been thinking about his construction job a lot. He was ready for a career change, and this opportunity sort of fell into his lap. He would not forgive himself if he let this opportunity go.

"Well," Neptune gazed up at the JM7 Jagermech. "It's a good-looking mech."

Korra extended her hand for a handshake. "Welcome to Lexington Legends, Lance Commander Neptune!"

Redmond's Bar & Grill,
Lexington, Kestrel Combat Region,
Crucis March, Federated Suns,
July 13, 3073

Neptune still remembered the last time he was in this place. He was trying to cool off after a hard day's work, only to encounter an asshole that thrust him into the world of mercenary. It was not as bad as he originally thought. In fact, if the asshole was there, he probably would buy the guy a drink for prompting him to get a new career.

Then again, maybe not.

Carissa's eyes almost jumped out of her head upon seeing Neptune waltzing like nothing happened. "Holy crap, Neptune! Where the hell have you been? Last time I saw you was 4 montsh ago! I thought the mercenaries killed you!"

"Worse," Neptune smiled as he sat on the counter. "I joined them."

"Wha… what? You're kidding!" Carissa stared at him blankly.

"No, I'm not." He pulled down his jacket to reveal the Lexington Legends insignia and his rank patch. "Lance Commander Neptune, Lexington Legends, First Company, Support Lance."

"No way! No freakin' way!" Carissa started laughing. "You disappeared for 4 months, and now you're a Lance Commander? How come you never told me?"

"I didn't have a chance. The Legends shipped out the next morning and they wanted me with them." Neptune slid a 5 c-bill on the counter. "How about an AC/20 for old time's sake?

"You really like that cocktail, don't you?" Carissa smiled and started mixing the drink. "So tell me, how did you end up with the Legends?"

"You remember the rude guy? It turned out you were not the only one that guy pissed off," Neptune chuckled. "His commander, the CO of Lexington Legends 1st Company, didn't like him either. She wanted him out of the team. When he got hurt, she used it as an opportunity to fire him. All was good, until they realized they were one man short of a company. So they kind of forced me to replace the guy."

"How do you like it?"

"Don't know if I like it, but it is a better job than construction. It pays better, and the colleagues are much nicer. No middle-management suckups that bullies lower-ranked employees for promotions. Plus, I get to travel. See the universe. You were right, there is nothing out there worth seeing. Everything is war torn. But now that I see it, I can appreciate Lexington more. On the con side, I got shot at by angry Liaos – a lot – but it comes with the territory. The Legends pay a lot of money to get shot."

"Do you think it's worth it? I mean, risking your life for a few c-bills?"

Neptune shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, I never thought I had it in me, but the Commander said I was doing a good job. She offered me the job based on my short stint with the Legends. That must mean something."

"So you want to keep the job?" Carissa handed in the cocktail. "I'm rather worried about the 'getting shot a lot' part. You're my best customer, Neptune. I'd hate to lose you."

"I'd hate to lose you too," Neptune took a sip from the glass. "You and your cocktail. It's the thing that drove me to defy all odds and strife to go home."

"Well, then" Carissa smiled sheepishly as she leaned on the table, hovering in front of Neptune's face. "You know, I really appreciate it you defended me against those mercenary assholes the other day. I haven't had the chance to say thank you. So here's for your trouble." She leaned more and planted a soft kiss on Neptune's lips.

"Mmm, I like the way you thank me," Neptune smiled, his eyes twinkled with excitement. "But so you know, I put my life on the line for you. I went up against three big guys with muscles as big as my head for you. I suffered in jail for you. I think I deserve more than just a small kiss."

Carissa giggled and gave her another quick kiss. "I'm off by 8. Pick me up and I'll see what else I can give you."

Neptune had known Carissa for a long time, and he couldn't help having fantasies about her. She was a fine young woman, with lush curves hidden underneath her skimpy outfit, and warm moist lips hanging above luscious cleavage that she boasted behind an undersized plunging neck. He always wondered what it felt to rub his lips on every inch of those lines. Now that he just had a preview, his mind overflowed with all kinds of thoughts.

"I couldn't wait," Neptune grinned as he shifted uncomfortably, strategically covering the bulge in his pants. It was going to be an interesting night.

END OF BOOK I